Meaning & use

impulsive

adjective·Academic

Acting suddenly, on a whim, without careful thought about the consequences.

See it in a sentence

Buying a car on a whim was a typically impulsive decision for him.

She regretted her impulsive comment as soon as she saw her friend's hurt expression.

A note on using this word

Impulsive often carries a mildly negative tone, suggesting a lack of self-control, unlike the more neutral spontaneous.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

cautiousdeliberate

Make it your own

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